HELP PS'ers, Is this person a scammer??

[Taurus2313]

Hi guys, I need some advice here because I have never had this happen before and I am suspicious.. Is this possibly a scammer? Earlier this morning I received this email from someone claiming to want me to send them an invoice from Paypal for a couple of my rings that I have for sale.. Here is a copy of that email:

Hi, I saw your emerald ring on LT and the aqua ring that's rhodium plated sterling silver on DB. I would like to buy both. Could you send me an invoice from Paypal?


I would also like you to send me a separate email with your pictures and descriptions, in case I have to let them go in the future.


Thanks,


I sent an invoice from Paypal but not the other information that was requested. Those are my photos and my descriptions and I told them that they are not part of the sale.. The invoice was not paid yet and I am afraid that I shouldn't have even bothered with sending it.. Please advise and thanks in advance..

 

[Taurus2313]

Invoice Paid.. But this is a very strange request. Never had this happen before.

 

[Lisa Loves Shiny]

Invoice Paid.. But this is a very strange request. Never had this happen before.

Glad it appears this is legit. I have found that some of what I thought were strange requests actually turned out to by the best buyers for my pre-loved jewelry.

 

[Taurus2313]

Thanks @LisaRN! Yeah I was shocked at the request because I have never had anyone ever ask me that before. I told them that those descriptions and photos were my own because I had taken the time to write them and take the photos and if they wanted to sell the jewelry again at a later date that they would have to take their own photos and write their own descriptions. There is a lot of that kind of stuff (Stealing/Using someone else's photos and descriptions) that happens on eBay and it is a major no-no!

 

[Bron357]

The person probably just wants something they can “print off” and put in their file. Bit weird but I can see why they’d ask. Make sure you send rings signed for, tracked delivery. You need proof of shipping in the event of dispute.

 

[Taurus2313]

The person probably just wants something they can “print off” and put in their file. Bit weird but I can see why they’d ask. Make sure you send rings signed for, tracked delivery. You need proof of shipping in the event of dispute.

Thanks Bron! I certainly ship all my items with tracking and delivery confirmation but lately I have been also adding Signature Confirmation so they have to be signed for.

Still this part is weird and not sure if they wanted the info for printing and putting into a file. Seems like to me they wanted the photos and descriptions to use again at a later date for relisting items for sale by the way that it is worded- "a separate email with your pictures and descriptions."

I could be wrong but that was my interpretation.. I don't see why they couldn't just print the listing pages for a personal file..

 

[the_mother_thing]

My guess is, your buyer doesn’t know how to do a screenshot for their own records, and maybe that’s why they asked for you to send it via email. Personally, whenever I buy anything (preloved or from an online retailer), I’ve made it my practice to capture screenshots of the pictures and description/listing just prior to payment for a couple reasons. 1) For my reference as to what I purchased, from whom and when if needed for insurance, resale, etc. (not to later copy ver batim what was previously written; rather, so I recall the details of the item I purchased because my memory sucks); and, 2) hopefully it’s not necessary, but so that in the event the item isn’t as described, I have a record of what/how it was described if needed for dispute purposes. A lot of people delete their preloved listings as soon as they get the PayPal payment, so if there is a dispute - as a buyer - you need some reference to CYA.

 

[Taurus2313]

My guess is, your buyer doesn’t know how to do a screenshot for their own records, and maybe that’s why they asked for you to send it via email. Personally, whenever I buy anything (preloved or from an online retailer), I’ve made it my practice to capture screenshots of the pictures and description/listing just prior to payment for a couple reasons. 1) For my reference as to what I purchased, from whom and when if needed for insurance, resale, etc. (not to later copy ver batim what was previously written; rather, so I recall the details of the item I purchased because my memory sucks); and, 2) hopefully it’s not necessary, but so that in the event the item isn’t as described, I have a record of what/how it was described if needed for dispute purposes. A lot of people delete their preloved listings as soon as they get the PayPal payment, so if there is a dispute - as a buyer - you need some reference to CYA.

Thanks for sharing this info @the_mother_thing. I never really thought about it like that. I never delete my listings right after Paypal Payment has been received. I cant believe people really do that. I wait until well after my buyer has received their purchase. Actually I don't delete my LT sold listings but on DB I do after a certain period of time because even sold/expired listings count towards that 25 limit and I have to make room to list new items.

 

[mayday]

Perhaps the buyer wanted you to do the work for them for when they flip the items. References to letting them go in the future...

 

[Taurus2313]

Perhaps the buyer wanted you to do the work for them for when they flip the items. References to letting them go in the future...

This is what I understood it to mean also which is why I responded like I did. Turns out it was for the reason that was mentioned here previously which was for personal files but this confusion could have been avoided if the request had simply been worded that way (for personal files) instead of asking for a separate email with my pictures and descriptions, in case they have to let them go in the future. Which means resale..

I am sad that I hurt someone's feelings but lesson learned!

 

[Bron357]

This is what I understood it to mean also which is why I responded like I did. Turns out it was for the reason that was mentioned here previously which was for personal files but this confusion could have been avoided if the request had simply been worded that way (for personal files) instead of asking for a separate email with my pictures and descriptions, in case they have to let them go in the future. Which means resale..

I am sad that I hurt someone's feelings but lesson learned!

No harm done Taurus, these days one has to be a bit wary when dealing with strangers over the internet.